Coping trajectories of intensive care nurses as second victims: A grounded theory.

A qualitative study that provides evidence of the institutional support required by intensive care unit (ICU) nurses as second victims of adverse events (AEs). BACKGROUND: The phenomenon of second victims of AE in healthcare professionals can seriously impact professional confidence and contribute to the ongoing occurrence of AEs in hospitals. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to describe the coping trajectories of second victims among nurses working in ICUs in public hospitals in Chile. METHODS: Conducting qualitative research through the grounded theory method, this study focused on high-complexity hospitals in Chile, using theoretical sampling. The participants consisted of 11 nurses working in ICUs. Techniques used included in-depth interviews conducted between March and May 2023, as well as a focus group interview. Analysis, following the grounded theory approach proposed by Strauss and Corbin, involved constant comparison of data. Open, axial, and selective coding were applied until theoretical data saturation was achieved. The study adhered to reliability and authenticity criteria, incorporating a reflexive process throughout the research. Ethical approval was obtained from the ethics committee, and the study adhered to the consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research. RESULTS: From the interviews, 29 codes were identified, forming six categories: perception of support when facing an AE, perception of helplessness when facing an AE, initiators of AE, responses when facing an AE, professional responsibility, and perception of AE. The perception of support when facing an AE emerged as the main category, determining whether the outcome was stagnation or overcoming of the phenomenon after the AE. CONCLUSIONS: For the coping process of ICU nurses following an AE, the most crucial factor is the support from colleagues and supervisors.

Prevalence of the second victim phenomenon among intensive care unit nurses and the support provided by their organizations.

BACKGROUND: Health professionals can be 'second victims' of adverse patient events. Second victimhood involves a series of physical and psychological signs and symptoms of varying severity and is most prevalent among nurses and women and in intensive care units (ICUs). Previous research has described personal and organizational coping strategies. AIM: The objective of this research is to determine the prevalence of second victimhood, focusing on psychological distress, among Chilean adult intensive care nurses and its relationship with the support provided by their organizations. STUDY DESIGN: A descriptive, correlational and cross-sectional study was conducted in seven intensive care units of Chilean hospitals. RESULTS: Of a sample of 326 nurses, 90.18% reported having been involved in an adverse event and 67% reported psychological distress resulting from the adverse event. Embarrassment was the most prevalent psychological symptom (69%). Only 2.8% reported that their organization had an action plan for professionals in the event of a serious adverse event. Participants who had spent longer working in an ICU reported more support from their organization around adverse events. CONCLUSION: Two-thirds of Chilean adult intensive care unit nurses report psychological stress following an adverse event. These results should be assessed internationally because second victims have major implications for the well-being of health professionals and, therefore, for retention and the quality of care. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Critical care leaders must actively promote a safe environment for learning from adverse events, and hospitals must establish a culture of quality that includes support programmes for second victims.

Coping strategies in health care providers as second victims: A systematic review.

AIM: To analyze personal and organizational strategies described in the literature for dealing with the second victim phenomenon among healthcare providers. BACKGROUND: The second victim phenomenon involves many associated signs and symptoms, which can be physical, psychological, emotional, or behavioral. Personal and organizational strategies have been developed to deal with this phenomenon. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A systematic review was carried out in PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Scopus, PsycINFO, Science Direct, and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature databases, searching for evidence published between 2010 and 2019 in Spanish, English, German, and Portuguese. RESULTS: Seven hundred and eighty-three articles were identified. After eliminating duplicates, applying inclusion and exclusion criteria and critical analysis tools of the Joanna Briggs Institute, 16 research articles were included: 10 quantitative studies (design: descriptive, correlational, systematic, or integrative review) and six qualitative studies (descriptive, systematic review). There are several different personal and organizational strategies for dealing with the second victim phenomenon. Among these, peer support and learning from adverse events are highly valued. In personal strategies stands out the internal analysis of the adverse event that the professional performs to deal with the generated negative feelings. In organizational strategies, the most valued are second victim support programs with rapid response teams and made up of peers. CONCLUSIONS: The main organizational coping strategies for tackling this phenomenon are online programs in countries such as the United States, Spain, and other European countries. Formal evaluation of these programs and research is required in Latin America. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING AND HEALTH POLICIES: Adequately coping with the second victim phenomenon allows health professionals and organizations to learn from adverse events. Furthermore, by supporting health professionals who suffer from the second victim phenomenon, the organization takes care of its most valuable resource, its human capital. This contributes toward building a culture of healthcare quality in organizations, which will reduce adverse events in the future.

Analysis of the evolution of competences in the clinical practice of the nursing degree.

OBJECTIVE: to analyze the student's progression in the acquisition of specific and transversal competences in relation to the competence dimensions.Method: the cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out in the clinical practice subjects included in the Nursing Degree. We included 323 students and we contemplated the development of competences through an ad-hoc questionnaire with 4 dimensions: delivery and care management, therapeutic communication, professional development and care management. RESULTS: the academic results between the practice of the second and third year showed an improvement in care provision and therapeutic communication skills (Clinical Placements I: 12%-29%; Clinical Placements II: 32%-47%) and worsened in professional development and care management (Clinical Placements I: 44%-38%; Clinical Placements II: 44%-26%). CONCLUSION: the correlations between these two years were high in all the dimensions analyzed. The evaluation of competence progression in the context of clinical practice in nursing university studies allows us to optimize these practices to the maximum and establish professional profiles with a greater degree of adaptation to the professional future.

Analysis of the evolution of competences in the clinical practice of the nursing degree / Análise da evolução de competências da prática clínica no curso de enfermagem / Análisis de la evolución de las competencias en la práctica clínica del grado en enfermeira

Objective: to analyze the student's progression in the acquisition of specific and transversal competences in relation to the competence dimensions. Method: the cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out in the clinical practice subjects included in the Nursing Degree. We included 323 students and we contemplated the development of competences through an ad-hoc questionnaire with 4 dimensions: delivery and care management, therapeutic communication, professional development and care management. Results: the academic results between the practice of the second and third year showed an improvement in care provision and therapeutic communication skills (Clinical Placements I: 12%-29%; Clinical Placements II: 32%-47%) and worsened in professional development and care management (Clinical Placements I: 44%-38%; Clinical Placements II: 44%-26%). Conclusion: the correlations between these two years were high in all the dimensions analyzed. The evaluation of competence progression in the context of clinical practice in nursing university studies allows us to optimize these practices to the maximum and establish professional profiles with a greater degree of adaptation to the professional future.

Objetivo: analisar a progressão de estudantes na aquisição de competências específicas e transversais em relação às dimensões de competência. Método: este estudo transversal descritivo foi realizado no contexto das disciplinas de prática clínica do curso de enfermagem. O desenvolvimento de competências de 323 alunos foi analisado usando um questionário ad-hoc com quatro dimensões: provisão e gerenciamento do cuidado; comunicação terapêutica; desenvolvimento profissional; e gerenciamento do cuidado. Resultados: os resultados acadêmicos obtidos no segundo e terceiro anos apresentaram melhora nas habilidades referentes à provisão do cuidado e comunicação terapêutica (Práticas Clínicas I: 12%-29%; Práticas Clínicas II: 32%-47%) e uma piora no desenvolvimento profissional e gerenciamento do cuidado (Práticas Clínicas I: 44%-38%; Práticas Clínicas II: 44%-26%). Conclusão: as correlações entre estes dois anos foram altas em todas as dimensões analisadas. A avaliação da progressão de competências no contexto da prática clínica do curso de enfermagem nos permite otimizar estas práticas ao máximo e estabelecer perfis profissionais com maior grau de adaptação para o futuro profissional.

Objetivo: analizar la progresión del alumno en la adquisición de competencias específicas y transversales en relación con las dimensiones de competencia. Método: el estudio descriptivo transversal se realizó en los sujetos de práctica clínica incluidos en la licenciatura de Enfermería. Incluimos 323 estudiantes y contemplamos el desarrollo de competencias a través de un cuestionario ad hoc con 4 dimensiones: suministro y gestión del cuidado; comunicación terapéutica; desarrollo profesional; y, gestión del cuidado. Resultados: los resultados académicos entre la práctica del segundo y tercer año mostraron una mejora en la provisión del cuidado y en las habilidades de comunicación terapéutica: (Colocaciones clínicas I: 12% -29%; Colocaciones clínicas II: 32% -47%) y empeoraron en el desarrollo profesional y en la gestión del cuidado (Colocaciones clínicas I: 44%-38%; Colocaciones clínicas II: 44%-26%). Conclusión: las correlaciones entre estos dos años fueron altas en todas las dimensiones analizadas. La evaluación de la progresión de competencias, en el contexto de la práctica clínica, en los estudios universitarios de enfermería, nos permite optimizar estas prácticas al máximo y establecer perfiles profesionales con un mayor grado de adaptación al futuro profesional.